Teaching isn’t just a calling or vocation. I wholeheartedly believe it’s the most influential avenue on which one can build. Build? Yes. To be an extraordinary teacher, one must also be an exceptional builder. Building may sound foreign in relation to teaching music, but it isn’t. A builder digs deep, lays a foundation, assesses that foundation, builds a unique structure on that foundation, and continually evaluates the structure. This is what I do for my students.

When “digging deep” with my students, I like to get to know them for who they are as individuals-their preferences, their goals pertaining to the piano, and even the personal goals that they have outside of their time with me. The lesson is constructed in such a way that the atmosphere is relaxed and fun, yet structured. I believe that students learn better, retain more information, are more open to challenges, and are more creative when they are in an environment that gives them liberty within boundaries. I also believe that students are receptive to learning when they trust their teacher and feel like their teacher has their best interest at heart. It is very crucial that my students understand that I am in their corner so that confidence is established, mutually. I incorporate “taking the temperature” of my students and creating a safe space for them in the lesson so that I can get a feel for the “terrain”, as it often changes due to the conditions around it.

For the “laying and assessing of the foundation”, my top priority as a piano instructor is to aid my students in becoming proficient and confident musicians. Whether they desire to grace the most famous stages across the world and demonstrate their artistry, or they simply want to learn that song that they keep hearing every time they’re at the grocery store, it doesn’t matter. They will have the tools that they need to equip them for their version of success. The “foundation” they have to build upon has been rooted in the standard classical piano repertoire, which includes the in-depth study of scales, technique, theory, composers, and the ability to practice with efficacy. I mainly instruct from the Bastien Piano Basics series, however, I’m willing to and have taught from other methods to ensure that my students’ fullest potential is reached. I firmly believe that no “foundation” is truly trusted nor considered complete without being tested. My students’ foundations are assessed through multiple recital performances as well as through direct expert feedback from my mentor who has 40 plus years of private teaching experience.

The “structure” that my students and I build on top of the classical foundation slightly varies depending on the student, however, there is one common thread: Composition. I love to compose music and so do a majority of my students! As one can clearly see while driving through a neighborhood, no two structures are exactly alike, no matter how similar they may seem. This is true of my students, as well, and I thrive on helping them bring to life the beautiful, musical structures they’ve already erected in their minds. Of course we go over the framework and mechanics of how music composition works, but from there, I give them the freedom to let their creativity shine through. We “evaluate their structure” by continually working on their piece(s) to see if the vision they’ve had in mind has come into fruition, musically. If so, then we advance until their masterpiece is complete.

I specialize in teaching children starting at the age of five. Educating children in piano is thoroughly enjoyable to me because of the limitless creativity, energy, and enthusiasm that they bring to the “building process”.